This Is Guernsey

By Gemma Hockey

The stage is set ready for today’s 12.45pm start. (Picture by Steve Sarre)

POLICE are preparing for the largest crowd the island has seen for years.

As last-minute touches were added to the 7,500-capacity Guernsey Live venue at Victoria Avenue, the force is gearing up for one of its busiest times.

Organisers could not confirm how many tickets had been sold, but speculated it was more than the 3,000 for each day quoted on Wednesday. ‘Obviously people are selling them in Jersey and Guernsey and at the moment we are trying to put the show together on site so we do not have a final figure,’ said Guernsey Live’s Fran Guerrier.

The man heading the security operation, Superintendent Ian Morellec, said the force had been putting measures in place to ensure the safety of festival-goers and neighbours.

‘We still don’t know exactly how many people will be at the event as numbers may increase over the next 48 hours now that people can buy tickets there,’ he said.

‘Victoria Avenue and the seafront will be appropriately stewarded by both the organiser’s security and our officers to give as much comfort as possible to residents in the area so the event does end peacefully.

‘All plans are geared to ensuring that everybody is able to enjoy the weekend in a safe environment.

‘Hopefully if all goes well everybody will be welcomed back next year,’ he said.

Measures include making Victoria Avenue and Les Banques an alcohol-free zone with 24-hour security.

He could not confirm the cost of the police operation until after the weekend and would not speculate on a figure.

‘Revealing the number of police officers we have assigned is not something we would normally do,’ he added.

He said the closure of the seafront from 10.15pm was a necessary safety measure.

‘Obviously the bulk of people will be leaving the event in the last hour but we are hoping that will be staggered.

‘We expect the majority of people will be leaving between 10.30 and 11pm.

Positiv Productions’ Warren Holt, who launched the Jersey Live event, was upbeat about ticket sales.

‘I feel really excited but I’m also really busy,’ he said.

‘Tickets have really picked up since Thursday and they will pick up again at the weekend.

‘We are having a box office at the end of Victoria Avenue so we are expecting a huge surge.

‘We have 300 people camping and about 500 tickets were sold to Jersey, which is a big percentage.’

*The seafront between the Red Lion and the Half Way will be closed from 10.15pm on Saturday and Sunday until the crowds have dispersed. Buses will run from the Red Lion into Town.

Article posted on 3rd May, 2008 - 9.30am